Senate supports limiting testing for 3rd graders

Reducing SOL tests will save the state money

RICHMOND – Virginia's third graders would no longer take standardized tests in science and history under legislation passed Tuesday by the Senate.

The measure, which passed with bipartisan support 33-7, would limit the Standards of Learning tests taken in the third grade to reading and math in an effort to focus on improving reading proficiency.

The bill's sponsor Sen. John Miller, D-Newport News, said the bill came from a study he asked for from the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission on third grade literacy, which recommended limiting SOLs at that grade level to reading and math.

The JLARC study found that 95 percent of third graders who pass the reading SOL also pass it in fifth grade while those who fail have a 50 percent chance of failing the fifth grade test.

"I believe it makes common sense to concentrate on reading and math, and give a good basic foundation in those two core subjects for our students," Miller said.

Sen. Mark Obenshain, R-Harrisonburg, who voted against the measure, worried the state's third graders would no longer be taught history and science.

But Miller and supporter Sen. Stephen Martin, R-Chesterfield, assured their colleagues that third graders would still be taught and assessed on those subjects, they just wouldn't take SOLs in history and science until the fourth and fifth grades.

"The standard is not lowered, we're simply allowing them to focus on those two things that are really critical to their development," Martin said. "Then in fourth grade all of it would be assessed."

Miller pointed out that there are a number of subjects, such as art, music and computer technology, that third graders are taught but not tested on.

"I think it's more important for that the students be able to learn to read history textbooks than just to test them," Miller said.

Reducing the number of SOL tests taken by third graders will also save the state money.

The Department of Education estimates the state will save $920,000 in fiscal year 2013 and $775,000 in fiscal year 2014 by eliminating the science and history tests.

The measure is supported by the School Superintendents Association, the School Board Association, the Association of Elementary School principles and the Association of Reading professionals, all of which had representatives testify while the bill was still in committee.

Miller said he has reached out to colleagues in the House of Delegates and expects the bill to receive a bipartisan reception in that chamber. Miller said he will be meeting with the head of the House Education Committee, Del. Robert Tata, R-Virginia Beach, to try to win his support.

He noted that Gov. Bob McDonnell focused on third and fourth grade reading proficiency in his State of the Commonwealth address earlier this month. McDonnell also referenced the JLARC study Miller commissioned.

"I think it's finally coming to the forefront that we really do need to address this issue," Miller said. "That's what we're seeing by the progress this bill's making."